Nico Botes obtained his professional degree in architecture and a master’s degree (by research) at the University of Pretoria and has lectured at the institution since 1997. He formerly coordinated the coursework programmes in interior architecture, and now convenes selection for all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programmes and coordinates the combined first year design studio. He has been an external examiner at the Port Elizabeth Technikon, Technikon Witwatersrand, Technikon Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand and the University of the Free State.

Nico’s research is closely related to his current academic responsibilities. He is enrolled for a PhD in Architecture at the University of Pretoria under the guidance of Prof. Roger C Fisher. The title of his study is The selection of beginner students for architecture at the University of Pretoria between 1971 and 2016: a critical reflection. His broader interests include interdisciplinary design and design teaching, especially at first year level, vernacular furniture typologies, product design in general, and conservation, especially in urban contexts. He has refereed articles submitted for peer review to Image and Text, the South African Journal of Art History and Architecture South Africa: Journal of the Institute of South African Architects.